If I'm touching the metaplot as it was, it's either with a ten foot pole or it's being observed with a high-powered telescope. Certain details- like the Gangrel leaving the Camarilla, among other things- I like enough to keep. Whether it's because of a risen Methuselah or because they're just sick of the Camarilla's crap depends on who you ask; in the Vampire community, it's very hard to verify sources. Ultimately- if it's essential for you to know about, you're either going to hear about it during the game or I'll let you know. I didn't follow it too closely and my focus is on New York and your characters.
From what you know, the Sabbat has always been dominant on the East Coast, up into Canada. Detroit, Miami, Montreal and Mexico City remain their largest strongholds. Buffalo is still contested, but given its poor shape economically, it's unlikely the Camarilla will fight too hard for it, given that they've got NYC now. New York is the biggest loss they've experienced to the Camarilla in a long time and it's shaken the Sword of Caine.
"Dominant" doesn't mean all encompassing, though. New York is too important to leave to the Sabbat, the same way Los Angeles is too important to leave to the Anarchs in the California Free State. From what you've heard (and the history of the Camarilla's involvement is something you can learn during the game if you ask one of the older Licks kicking around) there's been a Prince in New York since the Great Depression, though they were always under siege night to night. Common knowledge is that Prince Michaela was beheaded by Archbishop Polonia at her own table when she sought to discuss terms with the Sabbat. This was in the late '90s. The Camarilla let the Sabbat get comfortable after that, then swept in by surprise to unseat them.
There are a lot of contenders for the Princedom- how much you know about the race, I'm still thinking about. I'm not sure I want to dump all of it into a paragraph for you to read when it's more interesting to weave it into the narrative. Right now I'm thinking I'll make a list broken down by how many points you've got in Streetwise, Politics or Law.
Calebros did not appoint Primogen. There are three Harpies, but it's not a position a Prince decides.
There are more vampires than there are in the book- and I'd ask you not to read the character section if you have it. But if it's too late, I'll have to make changes.
In the book, Madison Square Garden (a private meeting box, specifically) to Madison Square Park are considered Elysium- I don't like that. It makes no sense for a Nosferatu Prince to have such a public area marked as Elysium. I'm going to use the abandoned City Hall 6 train stop that was closed in 1945. I believe it's also where the Ninja Turtles lived in the second movie.
City Hall
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Grand Central Terminal are also considered Elysium: they're also heavily monitored by mortal police and surveillance, so either way it's a good idea not to do anything rash there.
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I've glanced through it in the past, but not recently enough to know much in the ay of plot hooks you might want to use, though I am at least passingly familiar with the characters. I do not have an issue setting aside metaplot or my ooc knowledge, I was just asking what would be a good baseline that our characters would know.
Great! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hoping to get started next week.
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How often are there Sabbat incursions into our city?
Approx how many Kindred are in the city?
What are the chanes of me finding the Ainkurn Sword?
What are the general feelings for the other Clans?
Honestly I just want to know as much (general) information as I can while I wait.
<I should also point out another major change in the V20 book the the Followers of Set are not so much the evil ultra corrupters, but more the 2nd ed collectors of ancient relics and dark secrets.>
1. It's very hard to tell. New York is in sort of a "Gold Rush" stage- young kindred are sweeping in or popping up and claiming desirable domains and digging in for when the dust settles and a Prince is on the throne. Overt Sabbat attacks are fairly rare or very well disguised. Part of your duties will be to see just how many Packs are still active in the city, uproot them and help destroy them. No one is naive enough to think that there aren't any still around and it's hard to tell exactly where all these new faces truly throw their allegiance.
2. Approximating the population is difficult- New York can support up to 200 Kindred, but since Calebros made Embracing a violation of the Traditions while there isn't a Prince, there may be half that kicking around- not counting Independents (predominantly Necromancers and Setites) and Sabbat packs beneath the radar. Right now, there's a lot of room to stretch out.
3. Very high. Everyone gets one at character creation, in fact. Didn't I mention that?
4. What do you mean by general feelings? Clan presence or whether Gangrel stereotypes apply?
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What are the chanes of me finding the Ainkurn Sword?
3. Very high. Everyone gets one at character creation, in fact. Didn't I mention that?
In that case, I'm changing my character to a Half Gangrel/Half Brujah ambidextrous dual-wielding fencer with maxed out Potence and Celerety. Don't worry, I don't need a name or background, or Humanity for that mattter, but I do nee a black leather trench coat, cool guy glasses, and, . . . why no, I do not plan on diablerizing the other players and ganking their swords, (even though it is a unique item, I can make an exception to logic and plot if, you know, that gets me two or more). Hell, I can have a Tzimisce attach another arm or two and just take them all.
:)
I have a New York question. :) Brad's domain is an apartment high-rise that would be a little bit beyond his means if he had all the usual mortal expenses. What would be a likely neighborhood for the building to be in?
I only know NYC from reading and a bus tour in the mid-90s, so I'm a bit vague on what's where. I could find the morgue easily enough on Google Earth but eyeballing a neighborhood for well-off doctors is less straightforward. The best I can come up with is a Yahoo Answers question where someone said the Upper or Lower East Side were likely places for doctors who opt to live in the city to dwell.
I have a New York question. :) Brad's domain is an apartment high-rise that would be a little bit beyond his means if he had all the usual mortal expenses. What would be a likely neighborhood for the building to be in?
I only know NYC from reading and a bus tour in the mid-90s, so I'm a bit vague on what's where. I could find the morgue easily enough on Google Earth but eyeballing a neighborhood for well-off doctors is less straightforward. The best I can come up with is a Yahoo Answers question where someone said the Upper or Lower East Side were likely places for doctors who opt to live in the city to dwell.
I've been living here since college (so, nine years now), so I can help you out!
The Lower East Side is gentrifying rapidly- formerly a Bohemian neighborhood with low rent and lots of artists and addicts sharing space. Once it was cool with artists and musicians for a while, the trust fund kids moved in and then pushed the rents higher and once the rents start growing, more trendy restaurants and amenities move in, etc. It's popular with hipsters and young folks right now but it doesn't feel as much like Brad's sort of neighborhood.
I'd suggest the Upper West Side- up in the 90s by Columbia Avenue. An old high-rise that's being renovated for new tenants like Brad, but it still has a lot of old folks and long-time residents with rent control that the management is trying to squeeze out. But if Brad's the nice young man that can figure out what's wrong with the router, that helps with feeding and blending in.
I have plenty knowledge of the city, tho I do not live there I visit a LOT...I only live about an hour away via train.
btw James, got ur PM, will respond, catching up on everything since I didn't have much time at work today.
The Lower East Side is gentrifying rapidly- formerly a Bohemian neighborhood with low rent and lots of artists and addicts sharing space. Once it was cool with artists and musicians for a while, the trust fund kids moved in and then pushed the rents higher and once the rents start growing, more trendy restaurants and amenities move in, etc. It's popular with hipsters and young folks right now but it doesn't feel as much like Brad's sort of neighborhood.
Brad wants quiet conventionality. His sweatervest is not ironic! :) He's probably got a good enough eye to pick up the proper mannerisms and fashion choices if he has to, but he wouldn't choose to live in such a trendy place.
I'd suggest the Upper West Side- up in the 90s by Columbia Avenue. An old high-rise that's being renovated for new tenants like Brad, but it still has a lot of old folks and long-time residents with rent control that the management is trying to squeeze out. But if Brad's the nice young man that can figure out what's wrong with the router, that helps with feeding and blending in.
I think I have a winner. Or close enough for gaming work, anyway. I got lots of hits for nicer things that he could probably afford, but they were all in relatively new buildings that would be a lot harder to imagine all kinds of oldsters in since most of them were pretty new constructions: "I've been living here for forty years, dammit! Don't give me that crap about how the place wasn't built until 1990!"
Still working on Julian. He's a rich trendy type, so I think he'll be living here.
Still working on Julian. He's a rich trendy type, so I think he'll be living here.
Niiiice. :)
Wow. My apartment could fit in that bathroom.
Kindred political background stuff- since Damien's a new arrival, this is info he hasn't learned yet.
The Harpies:
Mazz, a foppish anachronism of the Brujah clan with a trace of a British accent. Mazz is very charismatic and is often looked to for advice since he has a measure of mortal fame as a sort of gentleman criminal in the East Village.
Thomas Arturo, a handsome and professional Toreador. A renowned architect before his Embrace, Arturo continues to design impressive and luxurious buildings in the city. It is a mark of status to have a haven designed by Thomas Arturo.
Hellene Panhard is a Ventrue and the childe of deposed Prince Michaela. She is, unfortunately, a bit plain or even homely. Combined with being slightly overweight, she cuts a matronly figure. (Some of the Anarchs have taken to calling her Queen Heavy.) Hellene is one of the foremost candidates for Prince and she presses for the position most vocally. Her position of "reconstruction before restriction"- encouraging Kindred to take what domains they can in the city before imposing order- makes her more liberal than any Ventrue you've met- but most still consider her a conservative option (since she is a Ventrue, after all).
Contenders for Prince- Status 2 or Politics 1 to read:
Carter Vanderweyden, a former lawyer from an old Dutch family settled in New York. The Malkavian favors a conservative stance, with a strict but fair enforcement of the Traditions. This makes him popular with what Elders have taken domains in the city. He sites his experience as a lawyer and his work as an ambassador during the Battle of New York, negotiating with what Sabbat preferred to quietly leave the city rather than face Final Death.
Eugenio "Genie" Estevez is a broad and powerful Tremere. Working with High Regent Sturbridge before and during the Battle of New York, Genie developed the concept of the Tremere's "satellite Chantries" for use during the occupation and Battle- keeping the Tremere's holdings separated but linked and in constant communication to avoid being wiped out as the Sabbat's number one target. Unlike many in his clan, he wishes a public role in politics as opposed to that of the stereotypical "vizier". His stances are about as conservative as Vanderweyden's, though perhaps with less centralized power in the hands of the Prince. He also has experience in leadership of the Kindred, something few other candidates can boast as strongly.
Qadir Al-Asmai, the Sheriff and your handler, also has an eye on the Princedom. Qadir is feared by the right element, but he has made few enemies in his tenure as Sheriff. Very few others in his position can boast the same. Qadir holds his service to the Camarilla as a primary reason for his appointment and he has the support of the archon Theo Bell (though he isn't a permanent fixture in the city) and if not the outright support of Calebros, a measure of acknowledgement. He is not popular with young Kindred, however.
The Brujah in the city want Archon Bell to take the Princedom, even though he has no plans for such. Failing that, they would prefer one of their own.
Streetwise:
A young Brujah named Marlena has also been making the rounds among young Kindred and Anarchs. While a long shot, she favors a lasseiz-faire Princedom that would offer a lot of freedom to young Kindred.
Tremere chantry info to follow soon.
Hey James, I've got my stats locked in, would you mind going over my math?
Checks out as far as I can see. Approved!
Great, thanks guys. I'll get to work on filing out my back story soon.
Is Soho a good place for Julian's night club?
*pokes head in to let the Storyteller know he hasn't drifted into torpor*
Is Soho a good place for Julian's night club?
SoHo is a good choice, it's a very fashionable area.
I am still here as well, I meant to PM you something, but I completely forgot. Let me get right on that, sorry.
I am still here as well, I meant to PM you something, but I completely forgot. Let me get right on that, sorry.
I'm sitting in a dark corner staring creepily at people who walk by. :)
I'll have a breakdown of the Tremere chantries and the "insiders view" tonight. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Tremere of NYC and the Chantry of the Five Boroughs:
- The Central Chantry of the Five Boroughs hidden within Barnard College (Broadway and 120th street) where High Regent Sturbridge organized the Tremere's war effort. The Central Chantry is concerned mostly with administration. A number of scurrilous rumors have surfaced about the location due to its proximity to Morningside Heights in Harlem- Setite stomping grounds.
- The Maupassant Room (the "social chantry", since this is where outsiders are brought when a demonstration or meeting is necessary) a richly appointed office space with a small Thaumaturgical laboratory on the 12th floor of a building on Madison Avenue and 77th street. Only Eugenio Estevez and his assistant Kyle Dratch call the Maupassant Room home.
- The Annex at the Kennilworth is located on Central Park West and 75th Street. The Kennilworth is a 13 story apartment complex in the French Second-Empire style that was purchased by developers with Tremere connections. There are 42 "apartments" in the Kennilworth, converted into libraries, laboratories, lounges and sun-proofed havens. The High Regent of the Kennilworth is Lord Ephram Wainwright. He is called "Imp" behind his back due to his dwarfism. Imp is a strict traditionalist, focusing on the classical applications and paths of Thaumaturgy. The regent is suspicious of visitors and rarely receives anyone from outside of the Clan. The Kennilworth is not only the most populous Chantry, but it is also the most physically attractive and boasts a fine view of Central Park. Both Brad and Monkeygod's characters are assigned to The Kennilworth and need to spend time there regularly to maintain their standing as Apprentices.
- The Jewish Museum at 5th Avenue and 92nd street is the focus for most of the Jewish Tremere in the city. Here in the converted Gothic mansion of financier Felix Warburg the all-male membership of the Jewish Museum study the Kabbalah and numerology. At one time, Eugenio Estevez was the head of the Jewish Museum chantry, but his recent focus on politics has lead to High Regent Sturbridge appointing him to the Maupassant Room. She promoted Isaiah Mendelev, an Embraced hasidic rabbi, into the position of High Regent for the Chantry (which, from what you've heard, has been a relief to the conservative Jewish Museum Kindred).
- Finally, the most remote Chantry is the Brooklyn College Archive beneath Brooklyn College on Bedford Avenue, off the 2 train. The Brooklyn College Chantry is both a catalog of documents and records (now mostly dealing with the war effort against the Sabbat and Kindred history in New York) and a last redoubt for Tremere Kindred in the case that Manhattan becomes compromised. Regent Caroline Foley oversees the Chantry here and a small crop of Apprentices drawn from the students and night faculty of the college.
The general feeling among the Tremere is that they deserve to have one of their own Clan in the Princedom. The Tremere contributed the most to liberating New York City, after all, and took the greatest risks. Had the Clan not maintained a foothold, the entire Camarilla operation would have crumbled when Prince Michaela was beheaded by Archbishop Pollonia. But while the Tremere are eager to have favorable political conditions and their rightful place as public rulers of the city, there is private grumbling about Eugenio Estevez's candidacy. Many believe that he's started placing politics ahead of Clan business and many Warlocks would prefer someone less likely to neglect their bottom line. Of course, publicly, the clan supports Genie wholeheartedly: a unified front is very important, lest the Clan's many enemies find a weakness.
Nosferatu:
Gangrel:
Tremere of NYC and the Chantry of the Five Boroughs: ** spoiler omitted **...
Very nice. Brad is, of course, scrupulous about keeping up his responsibilities.
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What part(s) of New York are you thinking is going to be the most common in this game? Manhattan?
I'm thinking it doesn't make much sense for my Domain to be located in so far away, so I will stay away from Van Courtlandt Park for the most part, though I think I will want to cultivate Miss Jez as an ally (and friend), help her gain her due recognition to boost the Gangrel image in the city. I can also see her being a good source for a mentor and tutor in doing my job.
Your initial case will be about a neighborhood in Brooklyn, but I plan to have action all over. The Bronx isn't a bad spot, really- even though Van Courtlandt Park is far from everything, it's important to the Sheriff to have someone watching the edges of the domain (which has traditionally been a Gangrel duty before they left the Camarilla) and the final battle driving the Sabbat into Jersey City was waged in a shipping yard in the Bronx where the Archbishop had a safe house. If Cantor has a car or a motorcycle, he could pretty easily get to where he needs to. But it's up to you- there are also good spots in Brooklyn if you prefer to be near the Gangrel Bloc.
You could alternately make your haven somewhere in Bay Ridge or Bensonhurst at the very edge of Brooklyn near the Verranzano-Narrows Bridge connecting Brooklyn to Staten Island- and Anarch territory.
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Honestly, the location isn't mcuh of an issue for me, as much as I don't want to "in game" waste everyone's time getting to where I need to be. I honestly do not know New York at all, so I really do not have a way to relate.
How far from Tremereland is Bay Ridge or Bensonhurst <by motorcycle>? Especially bearing in mind I need to avoid the sun.
Are there any sort of kindred safe zones. Areas that are sort of set aside for that very purpose, like hidden rooms in the sewers/subways in a pinch.
Honestly, the location isn't mcuh of an issue for me, as much as I don't want to "in game" waste everyone's time getting to where I need to be. I honestly do not know New York at all, so I really do not have a way to relate.
How far from Tremereland is Bay Ridge or Bensonhurst <by motorcycle>? Especially bearing in mind I need to avoid the sun.
Are there any sort of kindred safe zones. Areas that are sort of set aside for that very purpose, like hidden rooms in the sewers/subways in a pinch.
Most of the Tremere activity is concentrated around Harlem/Upper West Side- according to Google Maps, it's a 15 minute drive if you take the West Side Highway. But on a motorcycle, you would have to stick to local streets to avoid being pulled over- so about twice that or more depending on what night of the week it is. In the summer you'll be active after rush hour so it may be even shorter than that.
No kindred safe zones are established- most of the time, kindred remain in their domains or keep their business relatively brief. No civic-minded vampire has set aside areas for that. Most stay out of the sewers, since the Nosferatu have warned/counseled/threatened against it.
I thought motorcycles were illegal on the highway, but I can't find any reference to it on the New York DMV website- so maybe I'm imagining things. Never mind, you can ride to your heart's content!
Yeah, I don't really know either. My downstairs neighbor has a motorcycle and I could ask him, but I'm inclined to just say it's fine to ride it wherever you want in the city. Parking could be a problem, but it's not that fun to discuss your characters' parking tickets anyway unless it's some fiendish strategy from a rival to try and waste your time in traffic court.
Yeah, I don't really know either. My downstairs neighbor has a motorcycle and I could ask him, but I'm inclined to just say it's fine to ride it wherever you want in the city. Parking could be a problem, but it's not that fun to discuss your characters' parking tickets anyway unless it's some fiendish strategy from a rival to try and waste your time in traffic court.
Thanks to the great oracle Google, I can contribute this:
Is lane splitting legal in NYC?No, although it's common and it's generally safer to cut to the front of the traffic at a light than get stuck between two cabbies who just spotted the same fare. While it's rare to get popped for lane splitting on city streets, cutting in and out of traffic at speeds significantly higher than prevailing traffic is Darwinism at work. Remember that this isn't a city of drivers who use their mirrors, respect lane markings or use their turn signals.
The exception: NYPD Highway are ballbusters about lane splitting, and they'll often pad the ticket with other points citations like "reckless driving", "failure to signal", and so forth. In other words, be careful about lane splitting on the FDR, West Side Highway, BQE, etc.
Motorcycles must be legal on NYC highways if the patrollers are just ticketing them for specific offenses instead of mere presence.
Julian is tentatively done, let me know if you've got suggestions or questions.
Looks good to me. Just waiting on Monkeygod's character.
Thanks for chiming in Dennis and Samnell, by the way.
James,
Since Damien has a ghoul retainer, do you want me to create her, or do you want to? I have had different STs handle it both ways in the past and was curious which you prefered.
If you would like to handle creating her, I'm happy to let you do it.
Ok, will do. Any special rules, or just the standard rules from Ghouls: Fatal Addiction?
The rules from the V20 ghoul appendix should do it. For the most part, you probably won't need her stats since she'll be in the background- bringing her along for a "ride along" is a breach of the Masquerade unless you're really careful. But if you need to deploy her during the day to accomplish something, that's when you'll need her stats.
In previous games, how did you guys handle starting blood pool? Just roll a die on the first session to determine how many bp you start with on waking?
I want to begin with hunting scenes for each character before Qadir gives you your task- I was thinking I would have you roll a d8 after waking so that no one would start fully fed and there's a risk one or two of you may rise hungry. Does that sound kosher?
Works for me!